If not the very best, he was right up there. I don't agree that he's not much of a defender either. From December onwards, when we set up with a formation that actually offered the defence some protection, our defensive record was excellent (other than the debacle at Crawley). The central defensive partnership between Cranie and Nyatanga played a huge role in that. Cranie also showed he was more than capable when filling in at right back. 12 clean sheets between December and May, and a further 10 games where we only conceded 1 goal. In 22 of our 31 games from December to May we conceded just 10 goals. Score just 1 goal in each of those games and the club gain 46 points. That's how important a solid defence is and Martin Cranie played a massive part in that. I've no problem at all with the lad we signed from Halifax or this lad from Grimsby. In my opinion, they're exactly the type of players we should be looking at - cheap and have proved themselves at a lower level. But such players have to be complemented with experience. I don't believe there is a better experienced defender out there, who would come to us that we can afford, than Martin Cranie. Cranie was on too much money last season, a hangover from the Championship contracts, but that contract had come to an end. I'm struggling to understand why we didn't offer him a contract on reduced terms. I'm not saying Cranie would have accepted it (a friend of mine said he would have been disappointed in Cranie if he had, claiming it would show lack of ambition for such a talented player) but to have a player of that calibre on the books and not make him feel wanted, not attempt to keep him and not open negotiations on a new contract makes no sense to me at all. We're not a club who has the pick of the available talent, we often have to make do with what's left after our primary targets turn us down, so to let someone of Cranie's talent just walk makes me wonder what on earth we're doing.
After losing three experienced central defenders at the end of the season, with the distinct possibility that Nyatanga may also move on, it's not surprising that the gaffer is looking to strengthen this position. Perhaps these deals (assuming Pearson does sign) were simply easier to complete than others currently in the pipeline?
Too Good To Go Down (Bax on The Fishy) has tweeted "I understand Shaun Pearson is NOT going to Barnsley" EDIT: He followed up with "I still believe Pearson will leave #GTFC , just not to Barnsley." From their board.
Maybe we will try and get Paul McShane back here on a huge wage cut now that he's been released by Hull.
I agree with some of that, in terms of his contribution in L1 for a couple of months, but I don't think we ever got value for money out of him and I don't believe his departure will affect us one iota. As for offering him a new deal, I can only go on what LJ has said, which is that we didn't offer him owt because we can't afford him. And that he didn't want to block Mason Holgate's progress at centre half. I suppose we'll see how it all pans out, but for me the one centre half who deserved a new deal has been offered one. And whilst I'd be disappointed if he doesn't sign back up, I don't think we'd miss Nyatanga massively either. In fact, I'm quite excited to see us signing new centre halves. Defence is the one area we've failed to strengthen with recruitment since Robins departed.
So your not too disappointed to lose two of the most experienced centre halves in the league and the only pairing we've had in the last 4/5 years that hasnt looked like shipping goals everytime weve been attacked? Your barmy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Second half of the season is the best defensive record we've had for years. And we achieved it while Cranie and Nyatanga were helping to bring along the likes of Holgate and Smith. We had the perfect blend of youth and experience and I can't imagine our young lads could have had better players leading by example than Cranie and Nyatanga. They're not players who defend with brute force, they're often up against forwards much bigger than them, but in 22 of the final 31 games we conceded just 10 goals because our defenders were better footballers than the opposition attack. Holgate is never going to be a big player, neither is Smith or Bree, they'll have to beat the opposition with skill and guile, not size and strength. To have two experienced players in the team I'm going to miss that and I'm going to miss thinking we have a cracking chance of winning any game we play, even if our attack is *****, because the defence concede so few goals.
We still conceded a lot of goals, mate. With Nyatanga and Cranie as a pairing. I think Adam Davies was key to many of the clean sheets you speak of, and the additions of Scowen and Pearson certainly helped tighten us up during that defensive run you refer to. Not suggesting Cranie didn't play a part, I know he did, as did Nyatanga (a bigger/better part IMO). But as much as I would retain Nyatanga, I won't see it as a massive loss should he not sign back up. And I didn't want Cranie to remain. I've not seen enough over three seasons to convince me he was worth the expense. But what do I know apart from nowt?
Naah. Roberts is a Third-Way Social Democrat and Pearson is understood to be apolitical, although was pleased at the global fiscal promise of the election of a Conservative government. Sorry, open goal, giddy mood.
Thought it would get a hit or two in that direction, nowt to apolo for though bud. Also thought some oft experts on here would know which foot the players kicked with.
tell me how many relegation Cranie has on his CV. He may have put some effort in for the games since Christmas but look at his record over his full time here. Some very bad games and the worst leader we have ever had ...